Africa

I am really excited....in two days we are off to Africa...look forward to meeting old friends, enjoy the fellowship of new sisters....can't wait to share with you all!! Appreciate your prayers also.

Morning thoughts

Well, it is six in the morning...and it is almost light. This is a good time to check in with your friends and their blogs, read newpapers from around the world, and just catch up on things in general. It is amazing how you can one minute read an e-mail from someone in Asia, switch over to the latest from another friend in Europe...and then remember, no I am still in Oregon. This computer stuff is truly amazing. I keep wondering how we survived all those years overseas with only snail mail and a phone that would not work....?? There were 3 weeks plus between news...if we got the letter at all. And then the news was old. But I guess that made it easier in many ways to truly LIVE in your new place, and not having to live in two places at the same place. And live we did. Well these are my cyper thoughts for the morning!!

Shots

Today I went to the Travel Clinic to have my shots updated...I only needed one new shots, and I am good to go. Where? Well, I am off to Africa in another two weeks. I'll tell you more about that later. Our son returns this next week from his adventures in Africa....can't wait to hear and see his pictures. Africa does something to you...it steals your heart!!!

This past weekend we went to the coast...we pulled our trailer down and had a grand time at Beverly Beach. There were not many campers around...but winter camping is great...especially at the coast.

Being a Minority

Thought you might want to see what our son wrote this morning....from the heart of Africa:
“Muzungoo, muzungoo” the children cry as we drive up. The car has not even stopped before they are closing in on us, jaws hanging down and eyes wide open. The more adventurous ones smile, giggle and say “Good morning”, regardless of what time of day it is, or “Bonjour”. The less adventurous ones just stare and stare and stare. It is not everyday that they get to see someone as interesting as one of those pasty, hairy white people in their neck of the woods. So when yours truly is obliging them by venturing out in public they take full advantage of it. It is not a ‘somethings-hanging-from-your-nose’ kind of stare, but is rather a stare of interest/entertainment, and they will gladly smile or wave in return. Makes me feel like a celebrity or something.The people here are rather friendly and knowledgable. They know Kirundi, their native tongue, then a lot of them will also speak Swahili and quite a number of them know some French too (the language of officialness) and a few will know some English too. Last evening I went to an open field to get a good picture of the sunset and was almost immediately surrounded by a group of boys. Our conversation went something like this:“Good morning” “Bonjour or Bonsoir” they would say“Ahamoro, Meriway” (peace to you and good afternoon in Kirundi) I would say“How are you? Sa va (how is it going in French)” they would say“Sawa” (well in Swahili) I would say. So in the course of less than a minute we would use four languages and exhaust all the phrases and words that we knew in common. Then I would take some pictures and they would all clamber around to see the review on the digital display. After they calmed down they would start asking me things in what I think is French to which I would reply “Je ne comprenes pas” (I don’t understand) and retreat from my foray into the culture."

Having it all

Growing up in Sweden, cold and snow were never an issue, but as you know, I am NOT a fan of cold winds anymore than I love rain...sun and palmtrees does it for me. Today I actually had a little bit of both. Sitting in my living room looking out on my backyard...I suddenly realized.... I actually have it all. Super Sun shining outside...and several lovely palmtrees...lining my big windows...on the inside!! Well, I figure, if you cannot go where the palmtrees are...I'll bring them here. That is also why my read garden shed in the back yard brings me such pleasure, at least to look at. It is painted in the red color of my native Sweden, complete with white trim found on so many cute little houses in the Swedish country side...Figrued I can't be over there...so we brought it all to our back yard...And in the front yard I now have three thriving Birchtrees....my favorite Swedish tree...can't be in Sweden at this time...so I have made sure I at least have the trees that will remind me of home. I guess all of this happens to you when you desparately make an effort to live cross culturally wherever you are....you know you CAN do it!! ( I still like sunshine and palm trees....and a beach the best!!)

A Weekend to Remember

This was a weekend to remember at the Thurmans. First I (Rakel) had a wonderful birthday...with cards, flowers, and so many great little things that made the day absolutely GREAT....thank you all of you out there!! I truly felt like a celebrity! Then on Saturday, February 11, our son Andraus got engaged to his girl friend Amy!! What a sweet gal!! We have already come to love her as our own daughter...Andraus got down on his knees in the middle of the bridge above Multnomah Falls....with Mom and Dad cheering on from below, and Seth and Trina hiding in the bushes above....taking pictures! It was perfect.